Thousand Hands Instance: Arena Battle

The next day.

"Have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"Someone defeated Senju Nawaki."

"Huh? Was it a ninja? I don't think anyone his age has ever beaten Senju Nawaki; he is the young clan head of the Senju family, after all."

"No, it was someone his own age."

"Really? Who is it? Has another genius emerged in our Konoha?"

"I heard his name is Shangguan Yue."

"For real?"

"How could it be fake? The news came straight from the Senju family themselves."

"Ah?"

"I'm not talking to you anymore, I have things to do."

"Have you heard?"

--

Compared to the quiet at Shangguan Yue's place, Konoha was buzzing with excitement; everyone was relishing the gossip about this newly emerged genius.

Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down the intelligence report in his hand and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

"How is it another Shangguan? But fortunately, Tsunade has already taken him as a disciple, so he counts as a grand-disciple. With that connection, in the future..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself, his voice trailing off until it was barely audible. The look in his eyes was incredibly complex, filled with fear, dread, and the relief of having survived a disaster.

If anyone were to see this, they would be shocked to death—the Hokage was actually afraid; the extent of it was clear to see.

"Sakumo."

"Present."

"Go and have Tsunade return."

"Yes."

--

In contrast to Hiruzen Sarutobi's uncertainty, Shimura Danzō felt nothing but naked greed.

"It seems this Shangguan Yue has inherited his talent, and he's even a half-blood of the Uchiha; his research value is immense.

It's a pity that if the research on the First Hokage hadn't been terminated, forcing me to work in the shadows, hmph.

Forget it, I'll let you grow for a while longer and show me more of your value."

Danzō waved his hand, and his subordinates retreated, while he himself walked into the dim shadows and entered a basement...

--

At this moment, Shangguan Yue walked out of Tsunade's house and deliberately strolled through the Senju Compound. Sure enough, after a short while, a passerby with a very ordinary appearance, wearing the Senju clan crest on his clothes, jumped out to block his path.

"Are you Shangguan Yue?"

"It is I. Do you need something?"

"I, Senju Chengshu, challenge you. Do you dare accept?"

"I can. 5,000 ryo—that is my appearance fee."

"You... fine, I'll pay."

Senju Chengshu tossed his coin purse over. Shangguan Yue caught it, opened it, and went "ptui, ptui" to moisten his fingers, counting the money right in front of him.

Chengshu's brows furrowed, and he grew exasperated. "Are you done yet?"

"Don't be in such a rush. You gave me 1,000 extra, so I won't be returning it. It's not like you're short on cash anyway. Come on."

"Hmph! Do you think it's all yours now? I will take back everything that is mine! Ah!!"

Senju Chengshu unleashed his taijutsu, charging toward Shangguan Yue with his fist raised.

Shangguan Yue did not dodge; he immediately formed hand seals. "Water Style: Great Water Ball Technique!"

Chengshu, who was charging head-on, collided squarely with the water ball. Fortunately, Shangguan Yue had only used half of his chakra, so while the water ball wasn't large, it still packed a punch.

Senju Chengshu collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest and wailing.

Shangguan Yue looked at his log.

Defeated Senju Chengshu. Rating: Ordinary. Obtained one challenge opportunity.

Shangguan Yue's face lit up with joy, his eyes filled with longing. He looked at the surrounding Senju clansmen and cast a look of contempt at Chengshu.

"Senju Chengshu, you're not much, are you? Sigh, is there no one here who can actually fight?"

Shangguan Yue's look of disdain toward the Senju Clan made the surrounding clansmen boil with rage.

"Hey, kid, don't look down on people. Don't think that just because you have Tsunade backing you, I'm afraid of you. Come on, let's spar."

Shangguan Yue looked at the chunin vest on the man and shook his head. "Mister, I'm still a child. I only accept challenges from my peers."

"Argh! Are you just scared, kid?"

"Are you trying to bully the young with your age, Mister?"

"Enough, stop making a scene."

"But, Elder Senju Yunting, the Senju Clan cannot be insulted. I just can't swallow this."

"Hmm?"

Senju Yunting narrowed his eyes, and the look was enough to make the chunin shrink back in fear, retreating into the crowd without another word.

Senju Yunting looked at Shangguan Yue, his expression unreadable. "Little one, are you willing to accept challenges from the younger generation of our clan?"

"I accept. I'll take on as many as come."

"Good."

Senju Yunting whispered a few words into someone's ear. After that person acknowledged the order and left, Senju Yunting looked at the open space nearby.

He shouted, "Earth Style: Earth Platform Jutsu!"

The ground rose with billowing dust, and as the smoke cleared, a ten-meter-tall dueling platform appeared before them.

"Little one, please. And do try to show some mercy."

Damn, this is too OP. It's so huge.

Shangguan Yue was a bit confused by Senju Yunting's behavior, but since he could get a chance to spar, he wasn't going to pass it up.

Without overthinking it, Shangguan Yue leaped high into the air and landed on the fighting platform.

Before long, a large group of people gathered under the platform, all of whom appeared to be quite young.

"Elder Yunting!"

The group stood straight and formed neat rows, leaving Senju Yunting very satisfied.

"Little ones, do you see the fighting platform before you?"

"We do."

"Whoever defeats the guy on the platform will be rewarded with a C-rank ninjutsu. Who's going?"

"I'll go, I'll go!"

"I'll go!"

They scrambled over each other to volunteer, leaving Shangguan Yue speechless.